North Hertfordshire District Council Finance, Policy and Governance Advisory and Litigation Lawyer Person Specification Date issued: November 2014 Level 1 (Grade 10) Category Job Related Skills and Knowledge: Essential Job Requirements Desirable Job Requirements Experience; Experience; Experience of uncontested and contested advocacy in Magistrates and County Court or planning inquiries or tribunals Previous experience in local government Method of Testing All Application Form / Interview Knowledge of procedures in the Magistrates and County Courts Experience of conducting a full varied challenging and demanding caseload of complex and sensitive administrative law, prosecution and civil litigation matters, including disputes, prosections and enforcement Experience of conducting a complex and varied caseload of administrative law, enforcement and litigation matters and one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by Awareness of a regulatory framework and how to apply it Understanding of the role of legal advisor in public forum Awareness of Standards/ Code of Conduct issues and understanding of the role of the Monitoring Officer Knowledge of local authority law and procedures Experience of dealing directly with and advising Elected Members and/or senior officers the District Council Experience of training Members or other Officers Experience of drafting complex and substantial documentation including reports, policies and procedures. Experience of advising in a public forum ( ie: Committee) Experience researching into and advising on complex areas of law Experience of working and advising in a politically sensitive environment Drafting experience relating to complex enforcement and litigation matters and either planning agreements, property matters, contracts or other similar documents Experience of instructing Counsel Experience of developing staff to perform to the highest standards Education/Qualifications; Level 1 Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives Minimum of two years PQE Degree or Equivalent Other Job Related Skills &Knowledge; Education/Qualifications; Education/Qualifications; A current practising certificate Application Form /Interview/ Certificates Extensive post qualification experience Application Form /Interview/ Certificates Other Job Related Skills & Knowledge; Other Job Related Skills & Knowledge; Ability to supervise for the Corporate Legal Manager as and when required Application Form / Interview Microsoft package experience Application Form / Interview IT proficiency Planning & Experience of maintaining and Application Form / Interview Organising Skills: running office procedures and systems Experience of prioritising work effectively Application Form / Interview Experience of using own initiative Application Form / Interview Effective presentation and communication skills, verbal and written. Application Form / Interview/ Presentation Ability to present advice in a way which is constructive, comprehensible, pragmatic and helpful Application Form / Interview/ Presentation Problem Solving Skills & Accountability: Demonstrated experience of responding quickly and appropriately under stress Application Form / Interview Other Requirements: To attend meetings of the Council or Committees as required Application Form / Interview Ability to work occasional unsocial hours Application Form / Interview Communication Skills: Level 2 (Grade 11) [in addition to Grade 10 requirements] Category Essential Job Requirements Desirable Job Requirements Method of Testing Job Related Skills and Knowledge: Experience Experience of effectively conducting a complex case load without supervision Experience Ability and willingness to gain experience in more than one of the following areas: planning, environmental, licensing, property or contracts law All Application Form/Interview Experience of complex litigation, including judicial reviews Experience of dealing directly with and advising Elected Members and/or senior officers Ability to operate in a political environment Knowledge of local authority law and practice Experience of advising at Committee Experience of advising clearly and to the highest standards Demonstrable experience of advising variety of clients, including Members and senior management Experience of providing effective, supportive supervision Experience of working as part of a team and on own Experience of working effectively and efficiently when under pressure. Operating within an effective appraisal system Conducting and participating in public speaking events Practiced in producing practical, useful management information Experience of effectively supervising a small team to achieve agreed targets and standards, motivating and supervising as necessary Education/Qualifications Qualified Solicitor or Barrister Education/Qualifications Diploma in Local Government Law Extensive post qualification experience Planning and Organising Skills Good time management skills Communication Skills Effective, well-developed communication skills, verbal and written, including the ability to influence others